Most Americans don’t support unions for public workers: poll

Protestors crowd the State Capitol grounds as members of the Wisconsin state government discuss the proposed bill by Republican Governor Walker in Madison Photo: Reuters

As the nation’s eyes fix upon the fascinating battle in Wisconsin, pitting the Republican Governor Scott Walker against public employee union, a poll from the non-partisan Clarus Research Group suggests that most Americans would probably be on the governor’s side on this issue.

Clarus' nationwide study found that 64 percent of American people think state workers should not be able to join labor unions.

Another 29 percent believe that d government employees should be represented by unions that bargain for higher pay, benefits and pensions.

The survey also uncovered a deep divide along party lines-- Republicans and independents strongly oppose unionization for government employee. Indeed, only 10 percent of Republicans and 23 percent of independents support the right of public employees to be represented by unions. Contrarily, 49 percent of Democrats think they should be able to unionize.

By region, voters in the Northeastern states were most supportive of public workers in unions, (42 percent), with Southerners the least supportive (24 percent).

As pressures to cut state and federal budgets intensify, government employee unions are likely to become a major issue in the 2012 election,” said Ron Faucheux, President of Clarus Research Group.